An Introduction to Bioethics

by Thomas A. Shannon, Nicholas J. Kockler

This fourth edition of An Introduction to Bioethics provides an introductory survey of various bioethical issues facing society from beginning of life issues to end of life issues, and several of them in between. This presentation begins with introducing the idea of bioethics and connecting it to how technology challenges our moral senses. This follows with readers being introduced to the major theories and vocabulary of bioethics. Following these general issues, Shannon and Kockler take the reader through various issues while presenting multiple perspectives. The authors include hotly debated topics such as abortion, euthanasia, and stem cell technology. The topics cover major areas of focus in the field of bioethics from the beginning of life to the end of life, including biotechnology, organ transplantation, human subject research, and a whole earth ethic. Once readers finish the book, they should be oriented to significant debates in bioethics, have the vocabulary to enter into a thoughtful discussion on the topics, and begin to formulate their own judgments on some of the most controversial aspects of contemporary society. The book can serve as an excellent text for undergraduate studies by providing a firm foundation to launch into class discussions and assignments. The bibliographies and references provide readers with information on some of the seminal texts in bioethics, which gives An Introduction to Bioethics a value for the reader who is just beginning the journey into the tumultuous field of bioethics. †

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Thomas A. Shannon is Professor Emeritus of Religion and Social Ethics in the Department of Humanities and Arts at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Kesaria (Kesso) Abuladze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, although the author didn’t think to mention the question of race while discussing eugenics (or any other major area of bioethics), which is a strange choice.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of pertinent issues in medicine, but I think I was expecting too much. I was expecting to get all the answers to the questions of bioethics, particularly abortion... instead, I just got a lot of different perspectives which made it even more confusing. I guess that's the basis of ethics though... there is never truly a correct and straightforward answer to anything.

[Brenden]

An Introduction to Bioethics (Third Edition) by Thomas A. Shannon (1996)